Categories: TECH

Nigeria to Launch Another Communications Satellite

Nigeria’s federal government has expressed its resolve to launch another satellite through the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) before the end of the year.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami stated this while briefing journalists Monday, during a tour of facilities at the agency’s base in Abuja.

He said: “That approval of federal government which I have secured has been forwarded to NigComSat. Now, it is on the table of NigComSat to answer that question. I want to make sure that as I said that 2022 is NigComSat year along with NIPOST. I want to make sure that all work in progress must be completed by 2022.

“As I said earlier ,2022 has been dedicated to NigComSat and NIPOST, and I want to do the best I can to improve what we have achieved in the previous years.

“I recently approved two subsidiaries of NigComSat and I am here to supervise what they have been doing, and I discovered some areas where we need to work to improve their performance significantly.”

He also stated that for the agency not to be considered for privatisation again, it must provide quality service and generate good revenue.

He added: “Before I was made the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), there was the Oronsaye report which recommended for the scrapping of NITDA. But when I was able to turn things around from generation of N7 billion to N19 billion in a year, no one talks about scrapping NITDA again.

“So if you are able to turn things around, render quality service and generate income, no one will talk of privatising your company again.”

In her remarks, the Director General, NigComSat, Abimbola Alike appreciated the minister for his immense support.

Alike stated: “We all know what our budget used to be N200 million-N300m, for a company that needs capital after overhead.

“He stood for us and said there must be something good in NigComSat because he is a man who believes that we can actually turn around NigComSat.”

She assured Pantami of the agency’s readiness to deliver quality service and generate revenue to justify his efforts at revitalising the agency.

According to her, this year, Nigerians would see new significant changes that will make them know that NigComSat is a new company.

She stressed that Pantami was the first minister to add NigComSat to the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole

in Abuja

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Okpebholo: Obaseki Frustrating Handing Over Power To Me

Senator Okpebholo has accused Obaseki of attempting to frustrate a peaceful power transfer and making…

9 hours ago

Tens of Thousands Protest In Valencia Over Floods, Demand Resignation Of Regional Leader Carlos Mazón

Valencia’s citizens are protesting and demanding accountability after the deadly floods, criticising regional head Carlos…

14 hours ago

Qatar Suspends Mediation Efforts in Israel-Hamas Talks Amid Escalating Tensions, Diplomatic Frustrations

Qatar has suspended its mediation role in Israel-Hamas talks, citing lack of willingness from both…

14 hours ago

Ukrainian War: Varsity Don Asks UN, Others to Stop Russia from Alleged Recruitment of Nigerian Women

A Nasarawa professor Akyala has urged the UN to condemn Russia’s alleged illegal human labour…

15 hours ago

Trump Wins All Swing States, With Arizona Win Projected In 2024 US Election Victory

Trump has been projected to win Arizona, completing a sweep of all seven swing states

15 hours ago

Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded in Prison over 400 Sex Tapes Scandal

Equatorial Guinea’s former anti-graft chief Engonga has been jailed in for allegedly recording over 400…

15 hours ago